by Brianna Crandall — May 18, 2018 — Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, recently announced innovative smart signage displays and new software alliances that are “Working Together” with Sharp to create a collaborative ecosystem for today’s increasingly collaborative office. The products and alliances were showcased at the 2018 Digital Signage Expo (DSE) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sharp showcased collaborations with third-party software companies for the SHARP Open Architecture Platform technology found in upcoming smart signage displays, as well as alliances in Sharp’s sales channels, as integrators and channel partners work together to provide creative solutions. To date, Sharp has 17 global alliances for the SHARP Open Architecture Platform technology, including Revel Digital, Ping HD, Enplug, Navori Labs, Onsign TV and Capital Networks Limited.

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New smart digital signage solutions

The recently launched 40″ Class (39.5″ diagonal) PN-B401 and 50″ Class (49.5″ diagonal) PN-B501 professional LCD displays are Sharp’s first stand-alone solutions to feature the SHARP Open Architecture Platform for digital signage. These displays offer users easy ways to download, store and play content directly from the display, helping make digital signage more affordable and accessible than ever. These smart signage solutions include a powerful built-in quad-core SoC (System on a Chip) controller, which eliminates the need for a separate media player or PC. The PN-B Series displays are also said to offer great mounting flexibility. Whether in landscape or portrait orientation, the displays can be installed face-up, face-down, or tilting forward or backward at an angle of up to 90 degrees. Designed for easy hanging installation, they can also be suspended from four corners of the rear housing with wires. The PN-B Series is engineered for 16×7 commercial operation.

Sharp also previewed two upcoming 40″ Class and 50″ Class Smart Signage displays that provide 50% greater brightness and are specifically engineered for 24×7 commercial operation. The new PN-M401 and PN-M501 Sharp Smart Signage products will launch over the next two months.

4K Ultra-HD monitors for far-reaching impact

Sharp’s new PN-UH Series 4K Ultra-HD Commercial displays are available as 70″ Class (69 48/64″ diagonal) and 60″ Class (60 5/64″ diagonal) sizes. These economical displays are built for 16×7 commercial usage and designed to convey any message with true-to-life precision of 4K Ultra-HD resolution. Built-in tuner support and business-friendly features are packed into an elegantly slender frame for optimal elegance in out-of-home, commercial environments.

Interactive signage

Sharp’s award-winning AQUOS BOARD interactive display systems may be best known for their use in meeting rooms and classrooms, but they are equally suitable for engaging interactive signage applications, says the company. Sharp’s first 4K Ultra-HD interactive display was recently launched and joined the AQUOS BOARD interactive display system line. The new 70″ Class (69.5″ diagonal) PN-L705H is said to be Sharp’s most sophisticated AQUOS BOARD model yet, offering extremely fast response times and ultra-HD resolution, alongside revolutionary writing comfort akin to a real pen on paper.

Additionally, Sharp showcased its new 50″ Class (49.5″ diagonal) PN-L501C AQUOS BOARD interactive display that joins the 40″ Class (39.5″ diagonal) PN-L401C model. They are engineered for very flexible mounting alternatives including portrait or landscape orientation, as well as flush, face-up, tilt-forward or tilt-backward mounting.

8K technology preview

Finally, Sharp demonstrated its future 8K technology with its 70″ (69.5″ diagonal) display, featuring over 33 million pixels — 16 times the pixel resolution of 1080p. This preview featured Sharp’s 8K upscaling, wide-color gamut, Mega-Contrast (Dynamic Range Expansion), and HDR (HLG-PQ) technologies that together produce “overwhelming” visual reality, with images appearing as if they were real, and with detail never seen before, claims the company.

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the US subsidiary of Japan’s Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of home appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, professional displays, robotics and energy systems. Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America (SIICA), a division of Sharp Electronics Corporation, markets Sharp’s business products, including MX Series multifunction printer (MFP) systems, professional and commercial displays and Skywell atmospheric water generators.

For more information click on the product links above or visit the SIICA website.